Chapter 4: Smile Like You Mean It
The day dragged by slowly. Harry felt as if he were watching himself from far away. Luckily he managed not to mix up any of the teachers and students for the rest of the day. But as Harry carried on, he was surprised to find that he still could not remember any of his fellow students. He could've sworn Neville Longbottom was in his dormitory in Gryffindor, and not in Hufflepuff. The same went for Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, who were currently in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
Harry also couldn't remember who his teachers were or what classes he was taking. Luckily Draco and Pansy were in all of his classes, so he didn't have to ask where he was supposed to go. That day Harry had had charms with Professor Hagrid, transfiguration with Professor Snape, and double potions with Professor McGonagall. Since he was in his seventh year he had quite a few breaks, but loads of homework. Although he had forgotten who most of the people around him were, Harry had managed to remember everything from his years of lessons in Wizardry. By dinner time, he had managed to figure out who at least half the people at Hogwarts were, and how they played a role in his life. He wished he could just ask Draco and Pansy who was who and why, but he knew that they were still unsure if he was completely back to normal.
Of course Harry was thrown completely off guard when Draco asked him when this year's Gryffindor quidditch team try outs were.
"Try-outs... we need more people on the team?" Harry said, vaguely remembering that he was the Gryffindor quidditch team captain. Draco and Pansy exchanged glances.
"Yeah Harry. We need two new chasers to fill Larry and Marvin's spots... remember, they graduated?" Draco said. Harry froze for a moment. He couldn't remember anyone named Larry or Marvin, or even what position he played on the quidditch team. But, he wasn't about to let Draco and Pansy know that.
"Of course I remember they graduated!" Harry said indignantly. "And of course I remember we need two new chasers," Harry said quickly. He racked his brain trying to remember who was on the quidditch team with him, but came up with no one. "Uh... hey Draco, could you round up the rest of the team for a meeting later tonight in the common room? Say in about... an hour?" Harry said, quickly standing up. "I've gotta go do something really quick. I'll see you then," Harry said, turning and hurrying out of the Great Hall before Draco could protest.
Harry had no idea what he was going to do for the next hour. He debated about wandering the halls of Hogwarts and getting reacquainted with the school, but he had had no problems with recognizing landmarks and where to go. So he decided to go back up to his dormitory and wait until the meeting.
A few minutes later Harry entered his dormitory and flopped down onto his bed. He wasn't tired or in pain. He wasn't hearing voices in his head or seeing things. So what could possibly be wrong with him? Harry rolled over onto his side and caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror across the room from him. He looked the same as he had always remembered... Bright green eyes hidden behind thin wire-rim glasses, shaggy black hair, and a lightning-bolt shaped scar on his forehead that he had gotten when he fell down the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house. At first it felt like that was wrong interpretation of himself in some way, but Harry couldn't believe it. He sat up in an angry huff and buried his face in a pillow.
"STOP IT POTTER! YOU JUST HAD A BAD DREAM! THAT'S ALL IT WAS! STOP ACTING LIKE SUCH A GIT! YOU'RE JUST FORGETTING THIS STUFF BECAUSE YOU'RE STILL IN SHOCK FROM WHATEVER THAT DREAM WAS ABOUT! JUST CUT IT OUT ALREADY, YOU'RE LETTING DOWN YOUR FRIENDS AND EVERYTHING!" Harry screamed angrily into the pillow. He sat there for a moment, his head burried in the pillow, near to tears. Then he slowly sat up and looked around. He could feel his cheeks burning, and he hoped they weren't red - his quidditch meeting was in a few minutes. Harry slowly took some deep breaths and stood up. He was fine. He was going to be fine. He'd just put a smile on his face, walk down to the quidditch meeting, and talk strategy.
To anxious to wait any longer, Harry left his dormitory and walked down to the common room. There were a few students here and there, but no sign of Draco and the quidditch team. Harry took a seat at a medium sized table and waited. He realized that he had nothing planned for what he was going to say to his team when they got there, so he quickly thought of a rough idea for a training schedule and try-outs date, and that he had yet to ask Professor Snape when he could sign up to use the quidditch pitch.
About five minutes later, Draco entered the portrait hole followed by Vincent, Gregory, and a girl who Harry recognized as Susan Bones. The approached the table and sat down alongside Harry.
"Hello team!" Harry said jovially, trying to cover for the fact that he still couldn't remember which positions they all played. The rest of his team mates nodded their hellos. "Well, this season should be a great one! We're definitly in the running for the cup if we can find some decent chasers," Harry started.
"When are the try outs for the two new chasers going to be?" asked Susan.
"Uh... this Saturday if I can get the pitch. I'm not going to put up a sign until I speak with Professor Snape though, so don't go telling everyone," Harry said. The rest of the team nodded. "Our practice schedule this season will probably Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights, given we can get the pitch. Of course games are on Saturday, and I don't know if any of the other captains want to have a friendly scrimage or not,"
"Friendly scrimage? Yeah right!" Draco said. "The day Hogwarts holds a friendly scrimage is the day a house elf is headmaster," The other kids laughed, and Harry managed to add in a half-hearted chuckle.
"Well, okay, it won't be friendly exactly, but... what is these days, anyway?" Harry said shrugging. The others stared at him with wide eyes, and there were several moments of silence.
"So is that all, then?" Gregory asked, looking at his watch.
"Oh yeah, yeah that's all I wanted to say," Harry said. "And you'll all be able to make it to the try-outs if they're on Saturday, right?" The others nodded, and Harry smiled. "Great. Well, I guess you'll all know for sure when I put that sign up, alright? See you all around," Vincent, Gregory, and Susan said their good-nights and moved to other parts of the common room. Draco remained by Harry, staring intently at him. Harry just smiled, trying to break Draco's concentration.
"So then... you're all right, mate?" Draco said quietly. "Because Pansy's not so sure. I mean, I think you're okay..."
"Oh yeah. Yeah I'm fine. It was just, um... one hell of a dream!" Harry said, faking a laugh. "But really, I'm all right now Draco, you and Pansy have absolutley nothing to worry about!" Draco continued to stare intently at Harry for a few more seconds, but finally a real smile broke across his face.
"All right mate, I believe you. Knew it was just a fluke. But uh... don't hex me with rictusempra next time you think I'm you're worst enemy... my stomach muscles are still sore..." Draco said, rubbing his stomach.
"Oh, sorry about that," Harry said, managing a mild laugh. A few minutes later Pansy joined Draco and Harry, and the three worked on their homework until about eleven. By that time the common room was nearly empty, and the fires were getting low.
"I think I'm gonna go to bed," Pansy said yawning. She looked over at Harry, her dark brown eyes intent. "Are you going to be alright? I mean... you won't wake up tomorrow and forget who you are?" She said, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Relax Pansy, I'll be fine. I'm ok now, nothing is going to happen!" Harry said.
"Don't worry Pans, he promised he wouldn't rictusempra me again," Draco said laughing. Pansy smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Let's just hope next time it isn't Avada Kedavra..." Pansy mumbled, giving a small smile. Draco looked at Harry, his eyes wide.
"Harry wouldn't do that! Besides, I don't think any of us are strong enough to cast an unforgivable curse yet," Draco said shrugging.
"I know, I was just kidding! Of course I know Harry would never cast an unforgivable on you!" Pansy said laughing. "Jeez, you guys have to lighten up a little!" She said, clearing her books and papers and standing up. "I'll see you in the morning," she said smiling. She waved good bye and descended the stairs to the girls dormitory, leaving Draco and Harry alone.
"So you think we should get to bed?" Draco asked.
"Ah, you can go. I gotta finish this essay for herbology," Harry said waving a long piece of parchment in the air.
"All right, I'll just see you tomorrow then," Draco said shrugging.
"Night Draco," Harry said as Draco gathered up his books and papers.
"Night Harry," Draco said stopping at the foot of the stairs and smiling. Harry returned the smile, but once Draco was gone, Harry secretly wondered if his smiling and comments to his friends were true or just in vain...
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Hey, thanks for the few reviews! Glad you are liking the fic… the slow beginning of it is over, next chapter should be a bit more exciting? Maybe? I dunno, you can be the judge… Well anyways, plz R&R and thanks for reading!